Peter Thomas

3 weeks ago | racingpost.com | Peter Thomas

Of all the barely definable concepts routinely referred to in sports analysis, I'd say 'luck' and 'greatness' are the two most widely abused. People will tell you that a footballer is unlucky when their shot hits the post and bounces back out again, when of course they're nothing of the sort. They'd be unlucky if their shot, bound for the top corner with millimetre-perfect precision, were to hit a passing pigeon and be deflected wide, but otherwise they've just missed the target.

3 weeks ago | racingpost.com | Peter Thomas

I last spoke to Nicky Richards back in November and it was a memorable chat, for me at least. I'd called to stake my claim for the title of Stupidest Question Asked by a Racing Journalist 2024 and, by the time I'd finished, the award was in the bag. I was due to drive up to see him but reluctant to set off on the 350-mile trek from Kent to Cumbria without first checking all was well, so I called and he answered, a little tremulously, I thought. "Are you okay, Nicky?" I asked him.

3 weeks ago | racingpost.com | Peter Thomas

If you see a man in the Aintree winner’s enclosure on Saturday, looking slightly sheepish, almost as if he’s embarrassed to have landed the world’s greatest steeplechase, then it may well be Bryan Burrough. This is the chap who lifted the National trophy 42 years ago, as the 23-year-old owner of Corbiere, and as we count down the days to Beauport’s bid for glory in the same blue and orange silks, he’s wondering whether he may be being just a teensy bit greedy hoping to win it a second time.

1 month ago | racingpost.com | Peter Thomas

I'm always exhausted by the end of Cheltenham week. Exhausted by the four days and 28 races; by the furious, unavailing quest to break even; and by the post-meeting grumbles about beer prices (chill, chaps, I paid £7.85 for a pint in a pub in Fulham the other night) and false starts (if you ever find a 100 per cent happy group of owners, trainers and jockeys, you should have them stuffed).

1 month ago | racingpost.com | Peter Thomas

This interview was first published on June 26, 2023, shortly after the Grand National-winning trainer had announced his retirement and has been republished free to read to mark his 70th birthday on Sunday. Racing Post+ Ultimate subscribers have exclusive access to fantastic interviews and features like this, top tipping advice from the likes of Tom Segal and Paul Kealy and much more. Subscribe now and use the code ULT25OFF to get 25% off your first six months..